The player empowerment movement has drawn mixed takes around the NBA. Some claim itās time the players get back at the owners; some believe itās detimentral to the product and makes it boring.
That debate has been all over social media again amid Kevin Durantās shocking trade request, with some thinking it hampers his legacy, while others state that heās got the right to do whatever he wants with his career.
Needless to say, the leagueās official stance has to be against these kinds of movements. Thatās why NBA Commissioner Adam Silver claimed that theyāll address these situations in talks with the NBPA.
NBA News: League Will Look To Prevent Stars From Switching Teams
āAdam Silver on Kevin Durant asking for a trade:āWe donāt like to see players requesting trades and we donāt like to see it playing out the way it is,'ā Reynolds reported. āAdam Silver says the NBA will talk to the NBPA and fix this issue of players requesting trades.ā
Scottie Pippen Defends Kevin Durantās Trade Request
Recently, NBA legend Scottie Pippen vowed his support for Durant. Per the six-time NBA champion, the owners have always treated the players like assets, so they also have a right to do whatās best for them:
āYou know, thatās the game today. Players control their own destiny and not much loyalty is needed on either side of the table anymore. Iām fine with it, to be honest,ā Pippen said on Sirius XM radio.
āI kind of like how the players have their freedom to change and itās what the owners have been doing to players for years,ā Pippen continued.āSo, they just even the playing field, to me. I donāt feel bad for what KD is doing at all. I think itās a great move for him. You move as much as you want, in todayās game. Itās like, to me, playing pick-up basketball.ā
Maybe, the truth is somewhere in-between. Yeah, the players have every right to demand a trade and pursue a different path. But the fans also have a right to believe theyāre trying to win the easy way.
